The New York Mets watched a first-inning chess match turn against Juan Soto on Monday night. Soto’s granted timeout became an early talking point as Chase Burns finished a tense sequence with a strikeout in the Mets’ series opener vs. the Cincinnati Reds.
Soto used his timeout to slow the at-bat before Burns could fully settle into his delivery. Under the MLB pitch clock, hitters can use one timeout, but timing still matters. The pause did not disrupt the young right-hander’s rhythm.
Burns stayed composed at Great American Ball Park and attacked one of baseball’s most disciplined hitters. The moment mattered because Soto often wins those mental battles through patience, rhythm, and pressure.
Jomboy Media posted the clip on X, formerly Twitter, showing Burns striking out Soto after the late timeout started the plate appearance.
“Chase Burns strikes out Juan Soto after a last-second timeout was called to start the at bat”
Chase Burns strikes out Juan Soto after a last-second timeout was called to start the at bat pic.twitter.com/014o62ySMh
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 15, 2026
The clip showed Soto using his timeout to reset the at-bat after Burns had already thrown a strike that did not count. The Reds right-hander did not let the delay change his plan, then finished the matchup with confidence to give Cincinnati an early boost.
That moment offered more than a viral highlight. It showed how the MLB pitch clock has added another layer to hitter and pitcher strategy. A timeout can reset an at-bat, but it can also sharpen a pitcher’s focus.
For the Mets, the swing-and-miss became an early frustration during a difficult night. New York sits at 32-39, last in the NL East and 14 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves, and the Reds currently hold a 9-0 lead in the fifth inning.
For Burns, the strikeout sent a clear message. He did not flinch against a superstar hitter, turning the veteran slugger’s tactic into one of Monday’s sharpest moments.
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